The Coca-Cola Co. is the latest major beverage company to consider investing in the cannabis space, BNN Bloomberg reports.
Coke, the world’s largest beverage company, is reportedly in “serious talks” with Canadian marijuana producer Aurora Cannabis about developing a CBD-infused product line. The groundbreaking partnership would signal the cannabis industry’s acceptance by one of the world’s most established and iconic consumer brands.
Coke’s planned beverage would be a “recovery” themed CBD drink without any psychoactive effects, which differs from the several cannabis and alcohol company partnerships that have been announced recently.
Several sources told BNN Bloomberg under the condition of anonymity that the talks are getting “serious” and are “pretty advanced down the path.”
When asked, however, a Coca-Cola spokesperson would not confirm or deny the potential partnership.
“Along with many others in the beverage industry, we are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world. The space is evolving quickly. No decisions have been made at this time.” — Kent Landers, spokesperson for The Coca-Cola Co., in an email to BNN Bloomberg
Aurora similarly would not confirm or deny the talks when asked. “As a rule, we do not discuss business development initiatives until they are finalized, however we have a responsibility to our shareholders to give proper consideration to all relevant opportunities that are presented,” said Aurora spokesperson Heather MacGregor.